Mozambique 3 June: What’s coming down the pipe?
Good afternoon. The six negotiators charged with restarting Mozambique’s peace process say they have agreed on an agenda for President Filipe Nyusi and opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama to discuss – once they decide when, where, and how the two men can meet.
SEE: Mozambique summit talks move closer despite claims of military offensive
Ahead of the negotiators’ meeting on Wednesday, Dhlakama dialled in to a press conference in Maputo where he insisted the talks would continue despite an alleged military offensive on his Gorongosa redoubt. Much of the media attention has focused on Dhlakama’s withdrawal of his threat to take power in six provinces by force – confirming Zitamar’s report of two weeks ago.
Peace in central Mozambique is vital for the country’s further development – and in particular for giant cross-border projects like the African Renaissance Pipeline, that plans to pipe gas the length of the country from the gas fields in the far north, down to southern Mozambique and into South Africa.
SacOil, the South African oil and gas company that was pioneering the project, this week confirmed it has pulled out entirely – leaving the mysterious ProGas as the only South African participant, for now.
Thanks to a Zitamar investigation, ProGas is a little less mysterious today.
SEE: SacOil out, ProGas in; details emerge of new partner in $6bn Mozambique pipeline
ProGas executives were in China this week signing preliminary financing deals for the project. The pipeline is ambitious but is not without its rationale – it fits with Mozambique’s gas master plan and could also supply neighbours including Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as South Africa. It will ultimately depend on Chinese willingness to finance it, however.
SEE: ARP partners secure funding for Mozambique gas pipeline study
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi appointed a heavyweight new ambassador to Beijing this week, filling a post which has been empty for some months, Zitamar has learned. The previous incumbent was tainted by allegations of corruption but we have been told it was political in-fighting that ultimately meant he had to be recalled.
SEE: Tainted Mozambique ambassador to China replaced by former PM
Another intriguing personnel change came to our attention this week, as Vale confirmed it had quietly changed the head of its Mozambique operation “around March or April 2016”, without making an announcement. The departing country manager has left Vale entirely – for the second time in his career.
SEE: Vale replaces Gutemberg as Mozambique country head
Have a great weekend.